Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics: Changing the Face of Healthcare in Nova Scotia
March 17, 2025
Today, the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) released the final report on the Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics (CPPCC) demonstration project, a project launched in 2023 in collaboration with the Government of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health. “To say the program has been a success would be an understatement” says Allison Bodnar, CEO of PANS, “We know that our teams are providing exceptional care, that patients are highly satisfied and that we have demonstrated a model that not only improves access to care but better supports our pharmacy professionals as well.”
The final report (prepared by Research Power Inc.) shows that patients are highly satisfied with their care at CPPCC. 98% of patients responding to a patient survey rated their satisfaction as 8 or higher out of 10. “Without the clinic, I would be lost. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of other people who go there who would tell you the same thing”, says a CPPCC patient.
Between February 2023 and October 2024, over 218,000 healthcare services were provided at CPPCC sites. The top services included prescription renewals, strep throat assessments, common (minor) ailments and chronic disease management support. 84% of chronic disease appointments were for unattached patients – improving access to care for those who most need it. Based on patient feedback, accessing care at the pharmacy clinic has diverted over 10% of patients from emergency departments and over 25% from walk-in clinics.
“The success of pharmacy primary care clinics is a testament to the important role community pharmacies have in the delivery of healthcare,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Community pharmacies deliver care you can count on by providing access to healthcare close to home.”
The project has established a model for primary care in community pharmacy settings. This model is also helping to advance the pharmacy profession and attract new professionals to Nova Scotia. “At a time where there are healthcare human resource challenges everywhere, this model, which enables pharmacists to work to their full scope, is essential to attract and retain new professionals to Nova Scotia” shares Allison Bodnar, CEO of PANS.
There is strong patient support for CPPCC to expand. Pharmacy teams agree. Pharmacists working in the clinics indicated that they have increased their knowledge, confidence and professional satisfaction since they began working in the clinics and note “I am so proud to be able to offer these services to my community.”
While the project has been a success, there are opportunities for improvement. Implementing strategies for improving communication, collaboration, referral processes and better IT integration throughout the system along with more education about the care provided by pharmacy professionals are essential for long term success of our healthcare system.
As Laurie Deal, Chair of the Board for PANS, noted, “these clinics are changing the face of healthcare in Nova Scotia. Our pharmacy teams are providing effective, accessible and timely care to Nova Scotians when and where they need it. We are excited to continue this work to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia”
About Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic (CPPCC)project:
The CPPCC Demonstration Project was developed by PANS in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health. The project started in February 2023 with 12 sites. Due to the success of the project, it has been expanded twice. 46 clinics are open across the province and will continue to provide care now that the pilot has ended.
CPPCC sites offer an extended suite of healthcare services to Nova Scotians with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card at no charge. Appointments are made online. Visit https://pans.ns.ca/cppcc for a full list of sites and their contact information.
A copy of the condensed Final Report can be found here https://pans.ns.ca/community-pharmacy-primary-care-clinic-final-report. The full report can be obtained by contacting martha@pans.ns.ca.
Other media coverage of CPPCC project:
https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/09/19/more-pharmacy-primary-care-clinics-open
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Martha Lowe
Communications Manager
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
(902) 422-9583 x 4 | martha@pans.ns.ca